Pete Govorchin of the College of Lake County Foundation Board of Trustees, third from left, celebrates the 2017 Foundation Gala at the Drake Hotel with event sponsors.

Pete Govorchin of the College of Lake County Foundation Board of Trustees, third from left, celebrates the 2017 Foundation Gala at the Drake Hotel with event sponsors. (Posted by College of Lake County, Community Contributor)

Friends of the College of Lake County are invited to enjoy an inspiring evening in Long Grove Saturday, Oct.27 to raise funds for student scholarships. The CLC Foundation's 2018 Scholarship Gala: Reach for the Stars event will be held at the Royal Melbourne Country Club.

The theme of this year's event speaks to the life-changing impact receiving a Foundation scholarship can have on our students' academic and professional careers. In Fiscal Year 2018, the CLC Foundation awarded $835,881 in scholarships and grants to 444 students.

"Scholarships give students the luxury to breathe," said Maria Elizarraraz, a scholarship recipient who earned an A.A. degree in 2017. She is now a sociology major, with a minor in psychology, at DePaul University, with plans to graduate in spring 2019. "Being a mother and wife, the financial stress of bills, rent and child care is always on my mind," she added. "My scholarship awards have given me the chance to make my schoolwork a priority and raise my children to see that an education is the most important investment for their futures."

Kurt Peterson, executive director of the Foundation, said, "These awards are made possible by the continued generosity of CLC Foundation donors, who provide the funding so that College of Lake County students can reach for the stars and make their dreams become achievable goals."

The Scholarship Gala begins at 6 p.m. and will include hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions, raffles, games and a four-course, gourmet dinner. Mobile bidding will be available as an event feature, allowing guests who cannot attend the event to participate in the auction.

Tickets are $325 each, and RSVP is requested by Monday, Oct. 8. The grand prize Dream Vacation Raffle drawing, sponsored by R.J. Galla Company of Grayslake, is a trip for two to winner's choice of four grand destinations: Big Island, Hawaii - San Francisco, California - an Alaskan Cruise - or Positano, Capri and Rome, Italy. Raffle tickets are on sale now for $50 each or 5 for $200. There is also a 50/50 cash raffle; tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. To purchase raffle tickets visit https://foundation.clcillinois.edu/Gala2018.

The College of Lake County Foundation raises money to fund scholarships and grants that provide our students with an opportunity for a better future. Through these efforts, we strengthen the vitality and well-being of the diverse communities we serve. To learn more about the CLC Foundation, visit www.clcillinois.edu/foundation. For more information about attending the gala, call Kristen Davis, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Manager, at (847) 543-2400 or register at https://foundation.clcillinois.edu/Gala2018.

About College of Lake County:

College of Lake County is an innovative community college in Lake County, Ill. that transforms lives with its variety of accessible, quality education options. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, College of Lake County provides affordable options in a state-of-the-art setting close to home. A large student network, with small class sizes, provides advantages to our students on a career-related program or a path toward a transfer degree. We're proud to serve the diverse needs of our community and student body. Connect to your future today at College of Lake County. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu.

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